Volunteer at MCHS!

We Love Our Volunteers!

How To Volunteer at The Shelter

Our volunteers help keep the shelter running with activities such as dog walking, kitten and puppy socialization, dog training, laundry, groundskeeping, administrative activities, spending time with shy or stressed animals, and more. They also help at mobile pet adoptions and community events and transport animals to and from partner organizations. We value everyone who has time and skills to offer.


To apply to become a shelter volunteer, please fill out our volunteer application and liability release form. Once your form is submitted, you can attend a volunteer orientation on the first or third Sunday of the month at 11am. Minors will need to be accompanied by an adult. If you have questions or concerns about volunteering, please reach out to us or our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@mendocinohumane.org. Volunteers can also get information through our volunteer Facebook group.

Shelter Volunteer Application

Qualified Volunteers Wanted At State of The Ark Thrift Store!

Our thrift store at the intersection of Highway One and Simpson Lane contains everything you could dream of! Knowledgeable about clothes, records, books, furniture, or housewares? Love sorting goods? Able to pick up donations? We’d love to have you!

Volunteer At State of The Ark Thrift
  • White van with dog logo parked in front of small shelters, under a blue sky.

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  • Clothes rack in a thrift store, hats on top. Sign says

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  • Bookshelves filled with various books, many colors, in a library or bookstore setting.

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  • Round metal shoe display with various sandals and shoes in a store.

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  • Rack of colorful dresses on hangers.

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  • White cubed shelves displaying kitchenware in a store setting.

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  • Sign for Ark Thrift Shop, Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Red, white, and blue, supports the animals, on side of a road.

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Mendocino Coast Humane Society

Volunteer Policies

Be kind to staff and each other: The world is easier when we’re kind!


Volunteers are encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns with shelter staff, including those around health and safety, animal welfare, or conflicts with other volunteers.


Volunteers are asked to comply with directions from the shelter Director or staff. Directions may address immediate health and safety concerns or current needs at the shelter, and include all posted signage, such as doors marked “staff only” or notices that a kennel is closed due to a bite quarantine.


Dogs must be leashed at all times when being handled by dog walkers on or off-site. If you are not comfortable with taking a dog out of the kennel on your own, please ask staff for assistance.


If a volunteer experiences an accident or injury, they must report it promptly to shelter staff and fill out an incident report. When an incident involves an animal, the Director may request a meeting to discuss the situation.